Showing 1 to 10 of 14 search results

Hucks Starter

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1915, 1995/0050/V

Most aircraft engines had to be started by swinging the propeller by hand until Captain Bentfield Hucks invented the Hucks Starter just after the First World War. It could start engines more quickly and with less risk of accidents.

Open top four wheeled vehicle with long raised shaft projecting from the front, RAF Museum

112lb, Royal Laboratory, Mk. 7

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918-1965, London, Hangar Three/Four, 65/O/890

The steel-cased 112lb Royal Laboratory high explosive bomb entered RAF service mid-way through the First World War.

Cream coloured bomb with side cutaway to show interior, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAFM/Iain Duncan

Fiat CR 42 Falco

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1943, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/952

Designed by Celestino Rosatelli, the Italian Fiat CR 42 was the last single-seat biplane fighter to be manufactured by any Second World War combatant. CR 42s took part in the invasion of Southern France and later fought against the RAF in the Battle of Britain.

Biplane with propeller and camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum

Messerschmitt Bf 109E

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1943, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/624

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe's principal fighter aircraft during the Battle of Britain. It could outclimb and outgun the RAF's Hurricanes and Spitfires. However, its limited range allowed pilots only 20 minutes flying time during raids over south-east England.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and yellow nose and grey body, © RAF Museum

Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk IV

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944, London, Hangar Three/Four, 1994/1347/A

The Curtiss Kittyhawk was the final development of the monoplane Curtiss Hawk fighters. First introduced into service in January 1942, over 3000 Kittyhawks were delivered to Commonwealth Air Forces.

Kittyhawk displayed in Mediterranean theatre camouflage, shark mouth details at front air intake, with RAF roundels, fin flash, serial FX760 and No. 112 Squadron fuselage code markings., RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Short Stirling Mk III

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1998/0229/A

This Stirling served with No. 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit, where new aircrew gained the skills to fly heavy bombers. It crashed during a training flight in the Pennines on the night of 18–19 October 1944.

remains of an aircraft's tail section, dark paint and bare metal., (C) RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX PM651/7758M

Aircraft & Exhibits, NOV 1945-MAR 1995, In Storage, X001-3441

The Spitfire PR.XIX was the last variant of the aircraft to see service with the RAF. Unarmed, it was designed as a photographic reconnaissance aircraft.

Side view of a Spitfire XIX photo reconnaissance aircraft a, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Recorded interview with Wing Commander Bryan Thomas Mitchell, 19 May 2016

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-3338

Bryan Mitchell served as an RAF movements and logistics officer. He was involved in the development of computer systems and policy, and also commanded the European Fighter Aircraft Development Wing.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Sergeant Richard William Hilling, 20 July 2018

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-4791

Interview with Dick Hilling, who served as an RAF psychiatric nurse. During the 1991 Gulf War he worked with psychiatric casualties and, with Gordon Turnbull, with released prisoners of war.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Wing Commander William Reo Carr, 20 March 2015

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6796

Bob Carr completed his RAF national service as a storeman, specialising in explosives, before continuing to serve in the RAF supply branch at various locations in the UK and abroad.

Image pending